Real Madrid lift Club World Cup

Ramos, Bale on target in defeat of San Lorenzo as Spanish side seals 22nd straight win and lift fourth trophy of 2014.

Sun Dec 21 2014 10:10:17 GMT+0000

Real Madrid have won this tournament for the first time [Getty Images]

Real Madrid won the Club World Cup for the first time by beating San Lorenzo 2-0 with goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale after being forced into a scrap by the feisty South Americans.

Real scored in each half to clock up a 22nd successive win in all competitions in a bruising encounter which Guatemalan referee Walter Lopez just managed to keep under control.

The Marrakech crowd gave the European champions fervent support and were expecting a gala exhibition, which San Lorenzo were not going to allow despite the obvious gulf in class.

"It's a special day and this is a reward for all the effort and work that we have put in as a team," said Ramos.

Real nearly scored on their first attack when Karim Benzema just failed to connect with Ronaldo's low cross from the right.

After that, San Lorenzo did well to restrict Real to a couple of chances in the opening half hour only for their resistance to be broken at a corner when Ramos outjumped the defence in the 37th minute to break the deadlock.

Ramos had already been booked and could have been sent off for an ugly face-to-face rant at the referee as the game, which featured 40 fouls and numerous confrontations between players, threatened to get out of control.

Bale increased Real's lead in the 51st minute when he was left unmarked to collect Isco's pass and diving keeper Sebastian Torrico allowed the Welshman's weak shot to slip under his arm.

"We deserved to win this title," added coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We can say that Real Madrid is the best team in the world at this moment."